Top stories
Air Force to manage new militarized zone along US-Mexico border
Military personnel will patrol and stop trespassers along the stretch of land, which spans 250 miles of the Rio Grande River in Texas.
US Air Force to retire all A-10s, cancel E-7 under 2026 spending plan
The Air Force wants to retire hundreds of older aircraft, including the entire Warthog fleet, to free up money for future planes.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Coverage: Paris Air Show 2025
Defense News is covering the top headlines and stories coming out of Paris Air Show.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Opinion
Split to win: Why the Air Force must become 4 services
Opinion: Breaking the Air Force into four parts may seem radical, but it mirrors the kind of organizational clarity Hegseth has called for across DOD.
Opinion
Valor may not expire, but award recognition should have limits
Opinion: The Valor Has No Expiration Act ignores why limitations on valor awards like the Medal of Honor matter.
Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings
The effort is designed to show support for legal immigration of more Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the war overseas.
Lawmakers press VA for details on DOGE access to vets records
Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
In other news
House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
Republicans approved plans for an 18% boost in total Veterans Affairs spending next year, but the measure is far from becoming law.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
How a good PAO could spin Peter Griffin’s unapologetic havoc
The military, to be sure, has managed to explain away far worse than Peter Griffin.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Why Homer Simpson is a government fixture familiar to all troops
If you’ve spent time in the armed forces, you’ve had a Homer in your unit. He's not a comedic exaggeration. He’s a federal fixture.
Why Master Chief shunned the red tape of realistic military promotions
Halo's Master Chief has single-handedly turned the tide of interstellar wars. Yet despite his legendary exploits, his rank has remained static.
Don't miss
VIDEOS
How do you recruit for a cyber army of the near future?
The military needs to create a next-gen cyber force. How will it go about doing it, and who will it recruit? Our panel weighs in.
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MORE STORIES
Dem-aligned group blasts GOP lawsuits challenging overseas ballots
Republicans argue that overseas ballots are insufficiently verified, while Democrats say the legal challenges are meant to sow confusion and distrust.
How changes in Army training could limit troop brain injuries
Army officials plan to conduct baseline brain screenings of all soldiers by fall 2026.
Mattis feared Trump would order a surprise nuclear strike, book claims
In his new book, journalist Bob Woodward wrties that several former military leaders fear Trump returning to the White House.
Supreme Court hears arguments on veterans benefits appeals rules
The case involves how appeals panels must review denials in veteran disability cases.
New program aims to help DOD civilians in Japan get better health care
Critics have long complained about a lack of healthcare access for Defense Department civilians in Japan.
By Karen Jowers
Pentagon changes discharges for 800-plus vets kicked out for being gay
The move comes after a yearlong review of cases of troops forced to leave the services because of their sexual orientation.
Plans for multiple VA medical clinics remain stalled despite funding
More than $670 million set aside for new VA outpatient clinics in 12 states is still waiting for final plans from the White House and Congress.
Here’s what veterans will get for a cost-of-living increase next year
The boost in benefits payments is the smallest since 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOD rolls out child care reimbursement test program
Here's how troops might qualify for the new reimbursement of eligible transportation expenses for their child care provider.
By Karen Jowers